Andy Cohen turns down Miss Universe hosting gig

TV personality Andy Cohen has turned down the offer to host the upcoming Miss Universe pageant.

The 45-year-old openly gay host, who hosted the competition in the last two years, is concerned about his safety if he took the gig because Russia's "discriminatory policies make it unsafe for the gays who live there", reported Ace Showbiz.

"The law is that anyone under suspicion of homosexuality can be arrested and I didn't feel right as a gay man stepping foot into Russia," he said.

This year's Miss Universe will take place in Moscow, Russia. It will be the first time for the country to host the pageant.